Ladies of the Lake keep a decades-old tradition alive

Lake Merritt, ringed by trees and tall buildings, is Oakland’s crown jewel. One of the traditions on the water is the Ladies of the Lake, members of the Oakland Women’s Rowing Club.

They have big boats with heavy oars, and the women all wear white uniforms with blue scarves, like a vision out of a gentler age. The club dates back to 1916, and its members are all retired women, who row for fun, for companionship and for tradition.

“Most of us just like being on the water,’’ said Valerie Montes, the club’s president. They are also great Oakland boosters. “Every place on this lake you see Oakland,’’ said Nancy Gillis, another member, “the hills, the buildings all around. And it is beautiful,’’ she said. You can read more about the women and their rowing club here.